Is anyone else offended by being called anything but American who live and have been born in our United States

Question

Culturally, I am an American. Ethnically, I am not anglo (which Texans seem to consider me) as that is a tribe that belonged to a group my people fought against. Racially, I am Caucasion, but since DNA is in all people today pretty much mixed between the races, that's irrelevant. Do people really have to judge by skin color? Then, why don't we all say we are various shades of brown? Only albinos are truly white. I am a very light shade of brown. There are African-Americans who are lighter skinned than I and who are farther descended from Africa than I from Euroasia, plus my people are first generation American).

MJ, you are confused.America is more than a culture, it's a nationality. We have been here as a nation for over 200 years. There are only 3 races and everyone gets this wrong when they leave middle school. Dunric, parismtc, Q-T, Idaho Mike - you guys are alright!!! Putuba7 just don't forget that those founding fathers put together the 1st Amendment! Thank goodness for you. I am an American. I may not be a native American, but I am born on American soil. Damn proud of it!!!

Answer 1

Welcome to America. In this "great" country of ours, we are told that racial makeup doesn't matter; that we are a "melting pot" for the rest of society. Yet racism is a huge problem in this country and has been for years. I would also venture to guess that America is highly Xenophobic, in that they don't want to know how the rest of the world works culturally or even economically (politically is another matter entirely; just look at the present mess in Iraq).

Paul

Answer 2

Color is not, and should neverhave been, or be, a deciding factor regarding citizenship in the, still relativly, free U.S.A....but...Any one who routienly uses the hyphen when identifying their identity is not an american at heart... and as such should not be alowed to enjoy the full benifits of citizenship.... At this time any one born in The U.S.A. is a citizen... IMO(in my opinion) there should be restrictions on this... but if you are a citizen of The U.S.A. then you are an American and should not place any other before your country... to do so, IMO, is a blatent act of disloyalty.... ... but if you want to claim Africa or mexico or italy, or germany, or Holland(where some of my ancestors came from), or any other place... then get the hell out and move there if it is so great in your mind that you put it before your own country...I am an American whos ancestors came from Holland and Scotland and Wales... with a few others mixed in here and there.... But I am a Citizen of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..... and that ain't hyphenated

Answer 3

I know how you feel. My fathers family are from Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are all different races. Spanish, African, and Natives (known as Indians to Americans). I'm born and raised here in America. I don't even speak Spanish fluently. When I lived in Florida everyone called me Cuban or Puerto Rican. Now I live in Louisiana and everyone insist that I'm Cajun French, (black and white). It gets on my nerves very badly. I don't understand why we all have to be labeled. Why can't I just be an American. That's what I am. I'm just American.

Answer 4

I can honestly say that I am very ok with someone referring to me as Black, Black American, African American or just plain American. I am proud of both my American heritage and my ethnicity. I'm ok with it. That being said I have come across quite a few people who are very offended at being referred to as anything other than American. Takes all kinds to make the world go around, I guess! ;)

Answer 5

I think as long as you're secure with who you are, how people classify you is irrelevant. I know you must face a lot of bias, especially in Texas, but really...at the end of the day do you like who you are? If so, try not to worry about it. America, technically, is where you live. It's not who you are. Somebody born somewhere else who becomes a citizen is just as American, right?

Answer 6

Being called American is pretty much saying you are a huge mix of races. I'm a WASP, I don't have a problem with that. My ancestors were from Ireland, people say I'm Irish, it doesn't bother me. I know I'm American. American isn't really a "race" its a culture. Are people saying you aren't American in a bad way? Be proud of your heritage and proud of who you are. What other people say doesn't matter.

Answer 7

because at the time that they coined the phrase african american, black folks were being called negroes or colored and they felt that those terms were derogatory. they felt that those lables only identified the color of their skin, and not a nationality. Such as other peoples nationalities connected them to a land... Irish=Ireland Italian=Italy Chinese=China Black=???? *****/******=???? Therefore they wanted a label that would connect them to their land of origin, which was Africa. You have to examine the social and political climate in the US at the time that the term African American was created. You may feel that you cant relate to that today, because you dont feel connected to that land anymore. But at the time, the people were looking for something to connect themselves to...

Answer 8

I'm actually offended when people call me American or Native American. Would you really want to be named for the people who invaded, subjugated, and eventually destroyed your entire culture? I really don't like being associated with the "founders" of this country and I don't like being associated with the actions of our present government.

Answer 9

Naaaa, I am not offended to be called anything except being called late for supper!

I live believing that what people think of me is none of my business !! Life goes very well when I don't concern myself with worrying about others opinions.

Answer 10

I am not sure of your question
I have never been called anything but American.
I get upset by all of the hyphened names